Patent GB-1113470-A (GB)
Title: Device for sorting in size agricultural or horticultural products
IPC: B07B13/07
Filed: 1966-12-16
Abstract: 1,113,470. Grading machine. J. A. DE GREEF. 16 Dec., 1966 [20 Dec., 1965], No. 56410/66. Heading B2H. A machine for sorting agricultural and horticultural produce according to size comprises a frame, a driven conveying member mounted for movement in the frame and a driven gauging device supported by the frame through guide members, the gauging device extending above at least part of the conveying member and being adjustably spaced from the conveying member at a height increasing in the direction of movement of the conveying member from a place for supplying produce to the conveying member along and beycnd a number of places for delivering produce from the conveying member. The conveying member and the gauging device define an uninterrupted chute for the produce. The gauging device is composed of a plurality of gauging members guided by the guide members at an adjustable height above the guide members at an adajustable height above the conveying member along a stepped path, the gauging members forming an endless elongated member. The gauging device may be driven at the same speed as, or at a lower speed than, the conveying member. In Figs. I to 3, an endless gauging band 42 is mounted for travel in a frame 45 above an endless belt conveyor 46 inclined sideways. Fruits or other produce to be sorted are fed at 24 on the upper run of the conveyor 46 via a chute 23. The band 42 is guided on both sides of. a straight hollow beam 93, which is adjustable in height above the conveyor 46 by means of screws 44 and has sprocket wheels 53 at its ends. The band 42 consists of an endless chain 99, Figs. 3 and 4, each second lower link 100 of which is U-shaped and engages guide strips connected to a plate 94 attached to the beam 93. Pins 101 of the chain 99 extend between guide strips 98 suspended from the underside of a flange of an anglesection 95 rigidly connected to the beam 93 and of the outwardly directed flanges of a member of a T-section 96 adjustable in height relative to the beam 93 by means of screw jacks 97. Angle sections 102 coated with layers 103 of foam rubber are pressed by springs 104 against the lower sides of the guide strips 104. The T-sections 96 are positioned above the conveyor 46 in a stepwise increasing height starting from the supply point 24, in order that each of the fruits, depending on its side, can land from the lower side of the inclined conveyor 46 into only one of a number of boxes 25a-25d. The ends of the guide strips 98 remote from the supply point 24 may be bevelled, as shown, to gradually adjust the height of the angle sections 102 as they pass from one strip to the other. Two T-sections 96 can be adjusted at the same height. In another embodiment shown in plan view in Fig. 4, the beam 93 is C-shaped and extends above a portion only of the conveying member 46 which may be in the form of a disc or cone mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. The fruits to be graded are supplied via a chute 55 on the upper surface of the conveying member, oversize fruits being discharged from the conveying member at 63.